Weißflog after Nykänen's death: “Many moments connect us”

“This is shocking, bad news,” the 54-year-old told SID: “Matti and I were traveling together for so many years. For me he was like an everyday person, whether on the hill or off.”

The Finn Nykänen died on Monday night at the age of just 55. “We have so many stories in common. Of course there were the defining moments like the 1984 Olympics, when we shared the medals, or 1988, where he was superior. There were times when we were close competitors,” said Weißflog.

At the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, Weißflog won gold on the normal hill ahead of Nykänen, and six days later the Finn won on the large hill, narrowly ahead of the GDR jumper. In 1988 in Calgary, Nykänen won both individual titles and, to top it off, led the Finnish team to gold, while Weißflog came away empty-handed.

“We saw each other for the first time at the Junior World Championships, and later again at the Olympics and all the Four Hills Tournaments. The last time we met was two years ago in Finland. He seemed good there, everyone else confirmed that too,” said Weißflog. Recently he hasn't heard anything from Nykänen, who was an alcoholic for a long time.

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Weißflog after Nykänen's death: “Many moments connect us”

Three-time Olympic ski jumping champion Jens Weißflog reacted with dismay to the news of the death of his long-time competitor Matti Nykänen.

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